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PET TREAT THREAT: This image provided by Patricia Cassidy shows Cassidy with her dog, Doodles, at the veterinarian in Chattanooga, Tenn., after doodles had been diagnosed with kidney failure. Doodles is believed to be one of 580 dogs in the U.S. that have died in the past six years from eating pet jerky from China. Baffled by the cause and seeing another surge in illnesses, the Food and Drug Administration reached out to owners and veterinarians to help it find the poison behind the sickening of at least 3,600 dogs and 10 cats since 2007. Photo: Associated Press/Courtesy Patricia Cassidy

FDA warns pet owners of dangerous jerky treats

The Food and Drug Administration is asking dog and cat owners to report any problems their pets have had after eating jerky pet treats.

In a notice to consumers and veterinarians, the agency said it has linked illnesses from jerky treats to 3,600 dogs and 10 cats since 2007. About 580 of those pets have died.

The FDA says its Center for Veterinary Medicine has run more than 1,200 tests, visited pet treat manufacturing plants in China and worked with researchers, state labs and foreign governments but still hasn’t determined the cause of the pet illness.

The FDA says pets can suffer from a decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting and diarrhea among other symptoms within hours of eating the jerky treats.

The company says older brake fluid and corrosion of the brake piston inside the front brake master cylinder can form a gas that reduces fluid pressure transmission to the front brake. That can reduce braking power and increase the risk of a crash.